Tyla’s choice of outfit for the 2024 Met Gala certainly turned heads, as she opted for a sand-covered Balmain gown paired with a matching hourglass-shaped purse. While the theme for the night was “The Garden of Time,” Tyla explained that she drew inspiration from “the sands of time” for her unique design. The creative director of Balmain, Olive Rousteing, expressed his excitement over sculpting a garment from such ephemeral material as sand. However, the concept of creating a dress out of sand raises concerns about its durability and practicality. How would the gown hold up to movement, sitting, and potential wear and tear throughout the evening?
The strapless gown was created based on a cast of Tyla’s body, before being covered with three different colors of sand and micro-crystal studs for added sparkle. The dress itself was undoubtedly a statement piece, capturing the essence of time in a visually striking manner. However, the logistics of wearing a sand-covered gown raise questions about comfort and functionality. Additionally, the need for several men to carry the train of the dress and physically lift Tyla up the stairs at the museum indicates the impracticality of such a design for a red carpet event.
While Tyla’s manicure, featuring clear drips at the tip to mimic water, added a creative touch to her overall look, the practicality of such intricate nail art for a glamorous event is questionable. Her makeup, done by Pat McGrath Labs, provided a fresh-faced glam with products like Skin Fetish Foundation and Lust Lip Gloss. Despite the flawless makeup, it seems that the elaborate gown overshadowed the rest of Tyla’s styling choices for the evening.
Tyla’s debut at the Met Gala showcased her boldness and willingness to push fashion boundaries. However, the choice of a sand-covered gown with an hourglass silhouette raises concerns about practicality and comfort. While the concept of embodying the sands of time through fashion is intriguing, the execution of the design left much to be desired in terms of functionality. Moving forward, Tyla may want to consider balancing creativity with wearability for future red carpet appearances to truly make a lasting impression.